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Housing Court Rules: “Hold Fees” Unlawful in Massachusetts

First Published November 25th, 2024 | Updated April 9th, 2026 Posted in News

A street view of 80 The Fenway, a collection of condos and apartments in a white multistory stone building. The building has two front entrances, each labeled “80 The Fenway,” and is on what appears to be the end of a roundabout or cul de sac.

Only collect the fees the state allows, and if the tenant changes their mind before lease signing, refund them. Deposits to hold an apartment, aka “hold fees,” are not lawful.

Storage Agreement (Fixed Term)

First Published October 16th, 2025 | Updated April 9th, 2026

A brightly lit storage area with wood paneling and wood shelves contains a painting, a table, skis, a bicycle, some wire metal shelves, two cardbox boxes and personal effects.

Members can download a rental agreement to rent a storage space or a garage in Massachusetts, separate from any residential tenancy.

Smoke Detector Inspection Form

First Published April 16th, 2014 | Updated April 7th, 2026

Use a smoke detector inspection form with your rented apartments and you can avoid delays or denials of insurance claims.

30, 50, 100% : Laura Frost’s Rent Increase Data Keeps Changing

First Published March 26th, 2026 | Updated April 4th, 2026 Posted in News

Two women sit at a table in the State House. The woman on the left is looking down at some papers. The woman on the right is speaking into a tabletop microphone.

Frost’s testimony provided at the March 17 rent control hearing seemed to differ from prior media statements.

Verification of Disability for Reasonable Accommodation

First Published July 11th, 2015 | Updated April 3rd, 2026

Under MA law, landlords must make a reasonable accommodation for a renter living with a disability. This form covers emotional support animals and more.

Notice of Missed Payment During COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium

First Published April 29th, 2020 | Updated April 3rd, 2026

COVID-19 Notice of Missed Payment for use during the Massachusetts eviction moratorium. Do not issue a standard notice to quit, use this instead.

Parking Agreement (Fixed Term)

First Published October 16th, 2025 | Updated April 2nd, 2026

A close-up of pavement shows parking spaces indicated by yellow lines with yellow numbers. Spaces number 4 and 6 are visible. Licensed Claudio Schwarz for Unsplash.

Members can download a rental agreement to rent a parking space in Massachusetts, separate from any residential tenancy.

Security Deposit Withholding Letter and Statement

First Published February 23rd, 2014 | Updated April 1st, 2026

This is a cartoon of a cheerful white puppy dog with mud on its paws sitting in an apartment with blue walls and hardwood floors. The door behind him has a hole in it from chewing, and the trim around the doors is chewed up. Mud is all over the floor.

Rental form: If you must withhold money from your renter’s security deposit, make sure you do it in a lawfully compliant way.

Why “Greed” Needs to Leave the Debate

Posted on March 30th, 2026 Posted in News

The title page of the book Landlording features a line drawing cartoon illustration. A landlord wearing an expensive hat and cloak smokes an expensive cigar. He holds a pet rat on a leash. One foot is standing on a trap to hold the door open, out of which three ants are escaping. The landlord hand holds a whip. Beside him a landlady with a moustache and hair curlers in her hair holds a rent increase notice in her hand and a cigarette between her lips. She holds open her jacket to show a coin dispensing belt to offer change. Subtitle: A handymanual for scrupulous landlords and landladies who do it themselves. Written by Leigh Robinson. Illustrated by David Patton, Nancy Robinson, and Jan Brown. Published by Express. PO Box 1639. El Cerrito, CA 94530-4639. landlording.com

At the State House hearing for the fall 2026 rent control ballot question, renter advocates called landlords greedy. MassLandlords has had enough of it.

Letter from the Executive Director for October 2025: Elections, Spanish

First Published September 29th, 2025 | Updated March 27th, 2026 Posted in News

Our Letter from the Executive Director for October 2025 details a new hire for Spanish translation, shares the tentative monthly dues schedule and reviews other initiatives.

Housing Court Rules: “Hold Fees” Unlawful in Massachusetts

Storage Agreement (Fixed Term)

Smoke Detector Inspection Form

30, 50, 100% : Laura Frost’s Rent Increase Data Keeps Changing

Verification of Disability for Reasonable Accommodation

Notice of Missed Payment During COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium

Parking Agreement (Fixed Term)

Security Deposit Withholding Letter and Statement

Why “Greed” Needs to Leave the Debate

Letter from the Executive Director for October 2025: Elections, Spanish

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